Spotify will launch browser-based version

Spotify, the music streaming service, is to launch a browser-based version as
part of a redesign, according to reports.

Spotify is a music service that offers streaming of selected music from a range of major and independent record labels.

The service has, up to now, been delivered through a desktop application but reports suggest the company is preparing to launch a completely overhauled browser-based version. It is not clear whether the new browser-based version will replace the traditional desktop client.

The platform has more than 10 million users and four million paying customers, up from two million in September 2011.

Users can either access songs for free, with adverts, or they can pay a monthly fee for advert- free song access.

An 'unlimited' account costs £4.99 per month includes unlimited music streaming. A premium account costs £9.99 per month and includes an offline mode, exclusive content and enhanced sound quality.

There has been speculation that Spotify may lower its subscription price for its mobile app.

The redesign will make Spotify more accessible with playlists available on whatever computer they log on to rather than having to re-download the programme.

It would allow Spotify to match key competitors in the United States which are browser based such as Rdio and Pandora. It is not clear whether the browser-based version of the service would be US-only.

Spotify was launched in the UK in 2009 and arrived in the United States last year. In 2012 Spotify targeted other countries including Germany and Australia.

Figures released last month revealed that Spotify is earning 80 per cent of its revenue from only eight per cent of its users. In total Spotify made £148m in revenues during 2011.

In May Spotify launched an iPad app which gave Apple tablet users who have a paid subscription access to Spotify's 17-million song catalogue.